EDC prybars have been pretty popular for a few years. You know what I’m talking about, the little metal prybars that are a couple of inches long and probably have a few other tools forced onto them. What are they good for?
A prybar is the most effective tool to apply leverage to open something or pry it apart. On top of that, EDC prybars usually have other tools built into them, like bottle openers, screwdrivers, and wrench flats. They also make good keychains.
Is an EDC prybar right for you? Keep reading to find out.
EDC Prybars
At first glance, it’s hard to see why you would even want to EDC a tiny little prybar. They don’t look all that impressive, they aren’t big, so you’re not going to get a lot of leverage out of them, and they don’t usually have many other valuable tools on them.
So what’s the big deal? Well, in all honesty, the main thing that my little Gerber Shard does is keep me from breaking the tip off of my knife.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve broken the tip off of knives doing things I shouldn’t do with them. These little EDC prybars have stopped me from doing that, so I consider them worth it.
I’ve also bent a few keys trying to use them as a prybar…
Purpose of an EDC Prybar
EDC prybars didn’t make much sense to me when I first saw them, but the more I carry one, the happier I am that I have it. Knives are cutting tools; these are prying tools.
One thing overlooked so often with these prybars is that most of them are completely airline safe! This means you can use a helpful tool even if you fly a lot.
Prying Things
This is a no-brainer… There’s no need to think outside of the box here. Whenever you have something that takes more force than you can exert with your fingers, then these things are great!
From popping open keyfobs to replace the batteries, pulling thumbtacks out of walls, prying off paint can lid, and working nails out of walls, a little prybar has its uses.
If you run into situations where you need more prying power, then one of the larger EDC prybars is probably a good idea.
Opening Packages
I used a sharp edge on one of my keys to cut the tape on all the stuff I delivered, but it’s not ideal. The prying ends of these prybars tend to be a little sharp, so they cut through the tape on packages pretty quickly.
Stripping Wires
Some prybars (like the Gerber Shard) work well as wire strippers. The narrow “v” at the bottom of the prybar end makes short work of just about any wire you’ll run across.
Scraper
If you ever need to scrape the rust or corrosion off battery contacts or remove paint from a small surface, then most of these prybars have you covered. There are just a lot of things that you can do with a small tool like this.
Screwdriver
The prybar end of some of these can be used as a flathead screwdriver. On top of that, most have areas specifically designed to be used as a screwdriver.
Bottle Opener
Most mini prybars have some bottle opener, but even if they don’t, they’re still easy to use to pop the top of a bottle. Just hold the bottle near the top and pry the lid off.
Tire Lever
If you ride mountain bikes, you’ve had to change a tire. I haven’t switched to tubeless tires yet, so I still have to replace a flat tube in one of my tires occasionally.
The prying edge of these EDC prybars makes an excellent tire lever to help get the tire off the rim and back on.
Any Other Functions Designed Into the Prybar
Most of the prybars out there have other functions designed to make them more appealing and valuable. The most common ones are bottle openers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and carabiners.
What to Look for in an EDC Prybar
For the most part, the design of the prybar that you choose is primarily personal preference, but there are a few things that I think make some prybars better than others.
Don’t Buy a Prybar with a Cutting Edge
I wouldn’t say I like any tool designed to sit in your pocket with an exposed cutting edge. This goes double for things like prybars.
Most of these tools have sharp areas, but a precisely sharpened place can make them dangerous. Prying usually involves putting a lot of force behind the tool to move something stuck. If your hand breaks free from the prybar, it can easily slide onto the sharp edge and cut you pretty badly.
This is especially true when working with something as small as these EDC prybars.
Look for a Prying End with a Good Angle
Some of these prybars have very flat prying ends, making them difficult to use as prybars. If you find one angled, you can usually pry much better.
Choose a Prybar That’s Longer for Serious Work
If you want a prybar with some real power behind it, choose one on the longer side. A 2.5″ – 3″ prybar can do much, but a 5″ or 6″ prybar is MUCH more effective for prying. If you plan on getting one for a survival kit, then definitely get a larger one.
Like everything else, there are trade-offs based on what you choose. Smaller prybars are easier to carry around in your pocket, but longer ones are more effective as prying tools.
Best EDC Prybars
There are a lot of EDC prybars on the market today. Some are good, and some don’t make much sense for one reason or another. The ones listed below represent the best that I’ve seen.
Gerber Shard
- 7-IN-1 KEYCHAIN AND MULTI-TOOL: Features a pry bar, bottle opener, small flathead driver, medium...
- SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: Made of stainless steel with titanium nitride coating for corrosion...
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Weighing less than 1 oz, this solid state multi-tool is light enough to carry on...
- WORKSITE AND CAMPING ACCESSORIES: Great for any hunter, tradesman, and the everyday carry; Perfect...
- CONVENIENT SIZE: 2.75" length; <1 oz weight; Backed by the Gerber Guarantee, a limited lifetime...
The Gerber Shard is my preferred EDC prybar. I like the angle of the prybar, which makes it much more effective than many other prybars in this size range.
One of the best parts is it’s usually somewhere between $5 and $7, depending on when and where you buy it.
The only downside I can see with it is all the pointy edges. I don’t have a problem with it, but some people have.
Length: 2.8″
Additional Tools:
- Small Flathead Screwdriver
- Medium Flathead Screwdriver
- Philips Head Screwdriver
- Wire Stripper
- Bottle Opener
Kershaw PT-1
- Lightweight multifunctional tool is a practical carry for all users; attach to keychain, bag,...
- Offers three handy features in a very compact space: bottle opener, flathead screwdriver tip and...
- 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with bead-blasted finish contains more carbons for hardness and strength;...
- Glass-filled nylon handle overlay with exclusive K-texture pattern offers increased stability and...
- High quality, durable, corrosion resistant keychain tool perfect for use while hiking, camping,...
The Kershaw PT-1 is great for pocket carry because it has no sharp edges. If you want an EDC prybar that isn’t going to tear up your pockets or jab you in the leg, this is the one for you.
The prying edge also has a good angle to make it effective as a prying tool. The glass-injected handle also makes it a little nicer to use than others.
Length: 2.75″
Additional Tools:
- Bottle Opener
- Flathead Screwdriver
Gerber Mullet
- 9-IN-1 KEYCHAIN AND MULTI-TOOL: Features a pry bar, nail puller, scraper, bottle opener, small...
- SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: Made of a durable stainless steel, the Mullet is a lightweight keychain...
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Weighing less than 1 oz, this solid state multi-tool optimized for belt loop...
- WORKSITE AND CAMPING ACCESSORIES: Great for any hunter, tradesman, and the everyday carry; Perfect...
- CONVENIENT SIZE: 3.0" length; <1 oz weight; Backed by the Gerber Guarantee, a limited lifetime...
The Gerber Mullet has a great prying angle and doubles as a way to hang your keys from a belt loop or strap. It also has fewer pointy parts than the Gerber Shard.
Length: 3″
Additional Tools:
- Wire Stripper
- Scraper
- Small Flathead Screwdriver
- Medium Flathead Screwdriver
- Philips Head Screwdriver
- 1/4″ Hex Driver
- Bottle Opener
Nite Ize Doohickey
- Security
- Manufacturer: Nite Ize
- Country of Manufacturer: China
- KEYCHAIN MULTI-TOOL - Do everything from tighten bolts and screws to open a beverage with the smart,...
- MANY FUNCTIONS - This keychain multi-tool features a Box Cutter, a Bottle Opener, Wrench (.25”,...
The Nite Ize Doohickey is the only carabiner-style prybar on the list. This lets you hang your keys from straps, loops, and backpacks pretty quickly and makes getting your keys on and off of it fast.
The lack of an angled prying edge and short length make it the worst at prying, but if you want a carabiner-style prybar, then this is probably the one for you.
Length: 2.6″
Additional Tools:
- Bottle Opener
- Box Cutter
- 3 Wrench Slots
- Metric + Standard Ruler
- Flathead Screwdriver
Kershaw PT-2
- Easy to use multifunctional keychain tool is a practical carry for all users; attach to keychain,...
- Offers eight handy features in a very compact space: bottle opener, flathead and Philips screwdriver...
- 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with bead-blasted finish contains more carbons for hardness and strength;...
- Glass-filled nylon handle overlay with exclusive K-texture pattern offers increased stability and...
- High quality, corrosion resistant keychain tool perfect tightening bolts and screws, splicing wire...
The Kershaw PT-2 needs a little work when you first get it. I recommend sharpening the point of the box opener/can opener just a little. Not enough to cut you, but enough to make it a little more useful.
The prying angle is also non-existent, so it struggles as a prybar compared to others on the list. That being said, it’s the only one with a can opener.
Length: 3.75″
Additional Tools:
- Bottle Opener
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Philips Screwdriver
- Wire Scraper
- Three Hex Drives
Conclusion
EDC prybars are a useful tool to have on hand for tasks that require leverage or prying. They are also often equipped with other tools like bottle openers, screwdrivers, and wrench flats, making them versatile and convenient.
An EDC prybar can come in handy if you need to open a package, strip wires, scrape rust or paint, or change a tire. Consider adding one to your everyday carry to have a reliable tool.
